Kenneth Grahame's classic children's novel, The Wind in the Willows, follows the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr. Toad. If you and your kids love reading about the hijinks of anthropomorphic animals and the glories of exploring in the outdoors pick up one of these delightful books like The Wind in the Willows for your next read aloud session!
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The Little Grey Men (series) by B.B.
This is my top pick for a book like The Wind in the Willows! Baldmoney, Sneezewort, Dodder and Cloudberry are the last four gnomes in Britain. They live in an old oak tree in Folly Brook. Cloudberry has gone missing and so the other three gnomes head out to to find their brother. Along the way, and through the seasons, they encounter obstacles, get themselves into scrapes, and make new friends with talking animals. B.B.'s series about the quirky little gnomes highlights the joys and magic of the natural world.
Firefly Hollow by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Christopher Denise
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This sweet, colorfully illustrated book is about a quartet of characters who are all searching to become something more than what they are right now. Firefly wants to fly to the moon, Cricket wants to learn to catch. The boy Peter needs to overcome his sadness, and Vole wants to be brave enough to sail away on his boat. It is their dreams that bring them together.
The Very, Very Far North (series) by Dan Bar-El, illustrated by Kelly Pousette
It seems I just can't stop putting this book on read aloud book lists! Duane the polar bear has a curiosity and sense of adventure that leads him to a shipwreck where he meets C.C. the owl. He then encounters even more new friends like Handsome the musk ox, Magic the arctic fox, and Major Puffin. Together, they explore the wonders of the northern landscape. The cast of animals is as diverse in their personalities as they are in species, and the narrative thread focuses on learning to appreciate one's friends.
MORE: Gentle Chapter Books to Read Aloud
Skunk and Badger (series) by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen
Badger lives alone in his aunt's brownstone. He spends his days doing Important Rock Work. But one day, his peace is disturbed when Skunk shows up, informing him that he is Badger's new roommate. Badger is none too happy about this and is determined to rid himself of Skunk. Hilarity ensues, and lots and lots of chickens make an appearance. Will Badger and Skunk eventually become friends?
Old Mother West Wind by Thornton W. Burgess
Gentle and humorous tales about anthropomorphized animals populate Burgess' classic animal stories. I loved Burgess's animal stories when I was a kid. I remember the long row of red book spines populating the library shelf. Old Mother West Wind was his first book, published in 1910. After that he published dozens of books about the adventures of animals like Sammy Blue Jay, Jimmy Skunk and Betty Bear.
MORE: Classic Children's books from the 1910s
Hickory by Palmer Brown
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If The Wind in the Willows was too long for your family, try this short and sweet novel that will be enjoyed by the youngest in your family as well as the oldest. Brothers Hickory, Dickory, and Dock, live with their parents in a grandfather clock. Hickory, however, longs to experience the outdoors. When spring arrives he decides to explore the meadow and meets Hop the grasshopper. The two form a friendship and yet Hop tells Hickory that when the warm weather fades, so will the grasshopper's song. Hickory convinces Hop to set out with him so that they will always be warm, thus thwarting inevitable mortality. The ending is ambiguous but not scary, and provides fodder for conversation with the kids.
Kenny and the Dragon (series) by Tony DiTerlizzi
I love this delightful retelling of Kenneth Grahame's classic, The Reluctant Dragon. The modern language of DiTerlizzi's version may make it more accessible for families than the original. It's a wonderful story of a rabbit who convinces the townsfolk that the vicious dragon is not such a threat after all. I also highly recommend the audiobook.
MORE: Chapter Books and Children's Novels about Dragons
Freddy the Detective (series) by Walter R. Brooks, illustrated by Kurt Wiese
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Freddy the Detective is a wonderful and funny classic book from 1932. I wish Freddy the Pig got more attention that he does because my sons loved this book. After reading Sherlock Holmes, Freddy decides to try his hand at barnyard sleuthing. After a bit of success (some of it hilariously accidental), some of the other animals realize that the jail is actually more cushy than the outdoors. While reading it, I couldn't help but compare it to my kids' other favorite pig, Nanny Piggins. The humor in Freddy, while charmingly silly is not quite as over-the-top ridiculous as Nanny Piggins.
MORE: Books Similar to Charlotte's Web
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, illustrated by Fred Marcellino
Louis the trumpeter swan is mute, which is a problem when he wants to attract the attention of Serena, a lovely female swan. With the help of a trumpet he finds a voice, but also a quest for honesty and redemption. Along the way he develops a friendship with Sam Beaver, a boy who helps him to learn how to read and write.
The Borrowers (series) by Mary Norton
This wonderful classic tale of a tiny family delights children generation after generation, because who doesn't imagine the possibilities were one to shrink to such a tiny size? The Clocks live beneath the floorboards of a normal-sized human family's home. Trying to remain unseen by others, they venture out to "borrow" items to use in their own home.
The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow (series) by Elaine Dimopoulos
Generation of bunnies have handed down stories and teachings about survival and now it's time for Butternut and her nine siblings to live by those life lessons. Butternut befriends Piper, an robin with a penchant for alliteration, and starts to question her family's stories. The two meet an injured fawn, a pushy blue jay and set out to cooperate on a rescue. I love the details about the natural world and the charming personalities of the anthropomorphized animals.
MORE: Middle Grade Novels Told from the Animals' Point of View
The Adventures of Miss Petitfour (series) by Anne Michaels, illustrated by Emma Block
Winsome Miss Petitfour has sixteen cats, "Minky, Misty, Taffy, Purrsia, Pirate, Mustard, Moutarde, Hemdela, Earring, Grigorovitch, Clasby, Captain Captain, Captain Catkin, Captain Clothespin, Your Shyness, and Sizzles." (My son loved reciting the names during their frequent appearances.) Miss Petitfour travels from place to place with the help of a large tablecloth and a burst of wind. Her cats go with her, hanging on in line formation. Each of the quirky stories, such as the search for a missing postage stamp, or a trip to the jumble sale, stands alone, for a satisfying read aloud session. The content is appropriate for all ages and lovely little drawings will charm everyone.
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